Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(48)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(1)

Gustavo Ayon named MVP of FIBA Americas tournament as Mexico prevails

Former Bucks big man Gustavo Ayon helped lead Mexico to the championship in the FIBA Americas tournament Wednesday and was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Ayon contributed 20 points and 16 rebounds as Mexico defeated Puerto Rico, 91-89, in the title game in Caracas, Venezuela. The victory marked the first time Mexico has won the continental championship. Earlier the Mexicans had qualified for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup to be played in Spain.

The last time Mexico appeared in the basketball world championships was 1974.

The 6-foot-10 Ayon was acquired in a February trade with Orlando and played in 12 games with the Bucks, averaging 4.3 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Ayon played in three games with the Bucks summer league team in Las Vegas in July but suffered an injury and did not appear in the final two games.

The Bucks chose not to pick up a $1.5 million contract option on Ayon for the 2013-'14 season and he later signed with the Atlanta Hawks.

Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic have qualified for the FIBA World Cup by finishing in the top four at the FIBA Americas tournament. Bucks forward Carlos Delfino did not play for Argentina this summer as he continues to recover from a foot injury suffered in last season's NBA playoffs when he was a member of the Houston Rockets.

The U.S. did not have to play in the FIBA Americas due to its Olympic gold-medal triumph in London last summer and automatically qualifies for next year's tournament in Spain.

Preseason tickets on sale: The Bucks announced tickets for the two home preseason games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

The Bucks open at home on Oct. 12 when they meet the Charlotte Bobcats and they close the preseason on Oct. 25 against the Toronto Raptors in the 37th annual MACC Fund Game. Tickets will be available Friday at Bucks.com, via phone through Ticketmaster (1-800-4NBA-TIX) or at the BMO Harris Bradley Center box office.

Milwaukee also will play an Oct. 23 exhibition against the New York Knicks at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Tickets for that game will be available starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Resch Center box office, at ticketstaronline.com and via phone at 800-895-0071 (Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).